THIS month the United Fruitgrowers’ Co-operative, known as Glass House Mitre 10, celebrates 100 years of service to the local community. Recognised as the oldest registered Co-operative in Queensland, the Co-op, also celebrated 50 years in its current building at 5 Co Op Lane, Glass House Mountains.
It all began on April 16, 1922 when the first meeting to establish the United Fruitgrowers Co-op Association Limited was held by farmers at the Beerburrum Soldiers Settlement. Three weeks later another meeting was held to form a committee to carry out the details of construction of a building and leasing land from Queensland Rail. In 1924 the Co-op was registered with the ‘Primary Producers Co-operatives Act of 1923’. That year a small shed was built and the Co-op began trading. The Co-op was formed to allow farmers to send their produce to the Cannery and markets and to buy rural supplies. But the Co-op was far more than rural supply store – it was a voice for the community through its involvement in the Local Progress Association.
The United Fruitgrowers was hugely responsible for the growth and development of the Glass House Mountains area and through meetings and working with the local council and Queensland Rail, the Co-op was responsible for many road repairs, the installation of street lights and the first speed signs in Glass House Mountains (which were paid for by the Co-op).
The installation of phones, power and the rail timetable were discussed.
To this day, the Co-op still trades under the same rules and regulations, although they have had a few updates over the years. The Co-op is governed by a Board of Directors, run by staff and owned by shareholders.
The United Fruitgrowers has seen many changes over its 100-year history: In 1969 it was decided that the Co-op had outgrown its small shed and planning began for a new, bigger and better building (the one that stands today). In May 1971, the shift was made to the new building and on April 22, 1972 the Co-op was officially opened by Sir Francis Nicklin to celebrate its golden jubilee.
Over the years, as farming started declining and the demand for rural supplies decreased, the Co-op took a huge leap of faith by joining with CRT and Thrifty-Link Hardware. This gave the Co-op the ability to stock a greater range of products and be competitive in the market.
In 2011 the Co-op joined the Mitre 10 family and has been trading under that banner ever since.
